In a community‑focused effort to bolster the nation’s emergency‑response reserves, the American Red Cross is calling on residents of Bend, Redmond and surrounding areas of Deschutes, Crook and Harney counties to schedule blood or platelet donations this fall. The campaign coincides with National Preparedness Month, a time when local leaders emphasize the importance of readying resources for disasters such as home fires and natural emergencies.
How to donate and what you’ll receive
Donors who give blood or platelets between Sept. 21 and Oct. 18 will receive a $15 e‑gift card to a merchant of their choice. In addition, anyone who donates at a Red Cross donation center through Sept. 30 and mentions the word “pickleball” to staff or volunteers can receive a custom Red Cross pickleball paddle and ball while supplies last.
Eligibility requirements are straightforward: donors must be at least 17 years old, or 16 with parental consent where state law permits, weigh a minimum of 110 pounds and be in generally good health. High‑school students and other donors 18 and younger must also meet specific height and weight standards. Valid identification—such as a blood donor card, driver’s license or two other forms of ID—must be presented at check‑in.
Convenient ways to schedule
Appointments can be booked through the Red Cross Blood Donor App, the website RedCrossBlood.org, by calling 1‑800‑RED‑CROSS, or by enabling the Blood Donor Skill on Alexa‑enabled devices. Donors may also use RapidPass online on the day of their appointment to complete pre‑donation health questionnaires before arriving.
Local drive locations
Blood drives are scheduled at multiple sites across Deschutes County, including the Bend Blood Donation Center, the State & County Offices on Wall Street (today), the City of Bend Police Department (Wednesday), Awbrey Glen Golf Club (Sept. 28) and the US Bank Downtown Bend Branch (Sept. 30). In Redmond, drives will be held at Redmond Community Church (Sept. 24), the LDS Redmond OR Stake (Sept. 29), Desert Song Community Church (Oct. 1), the Technology Education Center and Mountain View Fellowship (Oct. 5), and the RPA Operations Building (Oct. 6).
Additional sites include the Sunriver Library (today), Cascade Bible Church in La Pine (Sept. 28), St. Charles in Prineville (Sept. 29), Juniper Canyon Baptist Church in Prineville, Sisters Community Hall (Oct. 2) and Faith Baptist Church in Hines (Oct. 6). Drives across Crook, Deschutes and Harney counties will continue through Oct. 6.
Why the push matters
Each year the Red Cross supplies more than 6.5 million blood products to hospitals nationwide. Maintaining a robust blood supply is critical for timely medical response during disasters, and local donations directly support hospitals in Central Oregon when emergencies arise.
Community members are encouraged to view donation as a simple yet powerful way to protect families and neighbors, aligning with the values of personal responsibility and neighborly care that strengthen our neighborhoods.
What to expect at the donation site
Donors will undergo a brief health screening, provide a small blood sample for testing, and then give either a whole‑blood donation (approximately one pint) or a platelet donation, which takes longer but yields a product essential for cancer patients and trauma victims. After donation, refreshments are offered, and donors can claim their e‑gift card or pickleball reward as applicable.
The Red Cross reminds volunteers that regular donations—ideally every 8 weeks for whole blood—help keep the supply steady throughout the year, not just during emergency‑response windows.
Contact information
For more details, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1‑800‑RED‑CROSS or download the Red Cross Blood Donor App. Your contribution can make a life‑saving difference for patients across Central Oregon and the nation.
Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.
